The Denver Broncos could take a few things away from the Philadelphia Eagles win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday. While adding to the offense this offseason will be important, the Eagles found a way to dismantle Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense without even blitzing.
Denver Broncos could learn from the Eagles Super Bowl win vs. Chiefs
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 40-22, and while the score itself was a surprising number, there was one specific stat that completely summarized the game.
0%. That’s the number. Vic Fangio and the Eagles defense didn’t blitz Patrick Mahomes once on Sunday and generated a pressure rate of 38.1%, per NFL Next Gen Stats. The Eagles’ defense made Mahomes life miserable, hitting him constantly and forcing him out of the pocket.
Philadelphia sacked Mahomes six times.
Pressure came specifically from the Eagles four-down lineman and that might have revealed the blueprint for what the Broncos need to do this offseason to get themselves in a position to compete further in the postseason. Combine that with strong play from their second-level inside linebackers and secondary on the backend, the Chiefs’ offense turned in their worst performance of the Andy Reid and Mahomes era.
At Radio Row this past week, Broncos head coach Sean Payton already mentioned linebacker and safety as an important need for the team, but part of me is wondering if the strategy this offseason is taking the path of adding veteran players on defense and younger players on offense.
The Broncos defensive line was already one of the league’s best units in 2024, but adding some beef there won’t hurt, especially considering how defensive line coach Jamar Cain has transformed that unit. Denver will have to make a decision surrounding their only free agent starter in that unit, D.J. Jones, who should be someone they bring back if it were up to me.
Cornerback is a position the Broncos feel good about, considering they have the NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Patrick Surtain II and are confident in Riley Moss, who will be fully healed going into next season from the MCL injury that impacted him down the stretch.
Going back to Super Bowl 59, while the Eagles’ defense was the prime reason they shined, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense also found ways to attack the Chiefs defense despite them shutting down Saquon Barkley and holding him to 2.3 yards per rushing attempt. Philadelphia kept the Chiefs off the field and dominated the time of possession.
While the Broncos need a dynamic run game that can help them in the regular season and playoffs, having established balance is what ultimately helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl. Hurts not only used his legs at times, something Broncos quarterback Bo Nix can do, but he found his main weapons in A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, who combined for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
If Denver can beef up their trenches this offseason on defense, add a linebacker who is fast and can cover sideline to sideline, and perhaps even add a veteran option like a Cooper Kupp or a Deebo Samuel via trade, the Broncos won’t be as far off as many people think, especially considering this Broncos team showcased in 2024 they can compete with Mahomes and Kansas City.
The reign of Kansas City’s domination over the AFC West may have reached its conclusion.